Screech owls are small owls found throughout most of North America. They get their name from their eerie, shrill calls that can be heard at night. Screech owls nest in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes and lay eggs once a year. The breeding season for screech owls depends on the location but is generally in late winter or early spring. How Many Eggs Do Screech Owls Lay? Screech owls usually lay between 3 to 7 eggs per clutch. The average is about 4-5 eggs. The eggs are smooth, glossy, and white. Screech owl eggs are oval or elliptical…
Author: Peter Knight
Quail are small game birds that are popular among hunters and backyard poultry enthusiasts. They are known for their tasty meat and eggs. Quail breeding can be an enjoyable hobby, but it does come with some challenges. One of the biggest questions quail owners have is what percentage of quail chicks survive to adulthood. There are many factors that affect quail chick survival rates, which leads to a wide range of estimates. In this article, we will explore quail chick mortality and what impacts their chances of survival. What Percentage of Quail Chicks Survive? Estimates for quail chick survival rates…
Quick Answer The American Kestrel is a small falcon, not a hawk. It belongs to the Falconidae family, which includes falcons and caracaras. The American Kestrel has long, pointed wings and a long tail, which are characteristics of falcons. Its scientific name is Falco sparverius, reflecting its membership in the falcon genus Falco. So the American Kestrel is definitely classified as a falcon, not a hawk. What are the characteristics of falcons versus hawks? Falcons and hawks are both raptors, but there are some key differences between them: Falcons Pointed, elongated wings Long tails Swift, powerful flight Curved beaks Feed…
Chipping Sparrows are small, vocal songbirds that are found throughout much of North America. They are known for their distinctive “chip” call that gives them their name. Chipping Sparrows build open, cup-shaped nests in trees and shrubs, often lining them with soft materials like grasses and animal hair. But how many babies do these small songbirds typically have? Clutch Size The number of eggs a female bird lays in a single clutch is known as the clutch size. For Chipping Sparrows, the average clutch size is 3-5 eggs. The female builds a nest and lays one egg per day until…
Grouse hunting is a popular pastime for many in Ontario. The province is home to two main species of grouse that can be legally hunted – ruffed grouse and spruce grouse. Understanding the regulations, season dates, bag limits, and requirements for grouse hunting in Ontario is important for responsible hunters. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of grouse hunting in Ontario, answering key questions for prospective grouse hunters in the province. What species of grouse can you hunt in Ontario? There are two species of grouse that can be legally hunted in Ontario: Ruffed Grouse The ruffed grouse is…
Domestication refers to the process of adapting wild animals and plants for human use and benefit. For birds, domestication typically means breeding and raising captive populations to be tame, docile, and useful to humans in some way. When were birds first domesticated? The first birds to be domesticated were chickens. There is evidence that chickens were domesticated from wild jungle fowl as early as 7500-8000 years ago in Southeast Asia. Other early domesticated birds include geese, ducks and pigeons. Geese were domesticated at least 3000 years ago, while domestic ducks and pigeons emerged around 4000-5000 years ago. Why were birds…
The Baltimore oriole is a small but strikingly colored songbird found in the eastern United States. Here are some key facts about where Baltimore orioles live: Breeding Range The breeding range of the Baltimore oriole extends across much of the eastern and central United States and into southern Canada: The northern limit of their breeding range stretches across southern Canada from central Saskatchewan to southern Quebec. Their range extends as far south as central Texas and the Florida Panhandle along the Gulf Coast. On the East Coast, their range runs from central Florida up to Maine. They can be found…
Birds exhibit a wide range of social behaviors, from solitary species that live and breed alone, to highly social species that breed and forage in large colonies. So are birds truly colonial organisms? To answer this question, we first need to define what constitutes a colonial organism. What is a colonial organism? A colonial organism is one that lives in a colony, which is defined as a group of individuals of the same species living closely together. More specifically, members of a colony show three key characteristics: They live in close physical contact with each other. They exhibit cooperative behaviors…
Being called a “free bird” can evoke images of freedom, independence, and living life on one’s own terms. It typically refers to someone who values their autonomy, doesn’t like to be tied down, and follows their own path. The phrase became widely known from the 1976 Lynyrd Skynyrd song “Free Bird,” which uses the metaphor of a bird flying freely through the sky. Though the term is often positive, emphasizing free spirits, it can also have some negative connotations. Let’s explore the origins of this phrase and what it really means to be a free bird in life. Where does…
The Pittsburgh Penguins are one of the most popular teams in the NHL, with a large and dedicated fanbase. Many fans look forward to watching the Penguins take the ice for preseason games before the regular season starts. However, not all preseason games are televised. So an important question for Penguins fans is: are Penguins preseason games televised? Penguins Preseason Television Schedule The Penguins typically play six preseason games each year prior to the start of the regular season in October. Some of these preseason games are televised locally in the Pittsburgh market, while others are only available on radio…